MEDIA ADVISORY: Sen. Gregg Joins UNH in Celebrating 5th Anniversary of Crimes Against Children Research Center

WHAT: The University of New Hampshire will celebrate the 5th anniversary of the Crimes Against Children Research Center, which has gained international recognition for its research and analysis concerning juvenile victims.

WHEN: Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2002; 10:15 a.m.

WHERE: Special Collections Reading Room in UNH's Dimond Library.

DETAILS: Speakers will include UNH President Ann Weaver Hart; John Lynch, chairperson of the USNH Board of Trustees; Marilyn Hoskin, dean of the College of Liberal Arts; David Finkelhor, director of the Crimes Against Children Research Center; Bradley J. Russ, retiring chief of the Portsmouth (NH) Police Department; James McCarthy, dean of the College of Health and Human Services; and Sen. Judd Gregg.

BACKGROUND: The center, an affiliate of UNH's Family Research Laboratory, was created in 1997 to focus attention on the fact that youth have among the highest rates of conventional crime victimization, and also suffer from some crimes specific to childhood, like sexual abuse and family abduction. Traditionally, public attention has been focused more on youthful offenders than the youthful victims. Research by the center found that young people have contact with the justice system more frequently in the role of victim than in the role of offender. And in October, the center's work resulted in the release of the first study to make an accurate estimate of the number of missing children in the United States.

CONTACT: Call Erika Mantz at 603-862-1567, or e-mail emantz@cisunix.unh.edu to indicate if you will be attending.